If you are shopping for a small crossover SUV, the Volkswagen Tiguan will likely be on the shortlist. It is the best-selling Volkswagen in the U.S., and for good reason. It is one of a few similar models on the market that offers third-row seating standard on front-wheel-drive models and optional on the all-wheel drive option.
Consumer Reports wasn’t in love with it despite its popularity but had only a few complaints about the model. Let’s take a closer look at the Tiguan and what Consumer Reports had to say about it.
Noisy Engine
2022 Volkswagen Tiguan | Volkswagen of America, Inc. Newspress Limited
Consumer Reports had very few negative things to say about the Tiguan, but one feature it didn’t like was the engine noise. Although the road and wind noise were well-isolated, the engine is a bit loud at high RPMs. However, it did say the cabin noise was in line with competitors such as Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5, and Toyota RAV4.
Car and Driver report that Tiguan’s 184 hp turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four and eight-speed automatic are carry-overs from the previous year. In Normal driving mode, throttle response is sluggish since the automatic shifts into the highest gear available to compensate for fuel consumption. But in Sport mode, the transmission holds lower gears for responsive acceleration, which could lead to excessive engine noise. Additionally, the system remembers your preference every time the ignition is engaged, so you don’t need to adjust it every time you start the car.
Slower acceleration than competitors
Another criticism Consumer Reports had for the Tiguan was the acceleration compared to its competition. It took more than 10 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph. By comparison, the Honda CR-V is much quicker, clocking in at 7.8 seconds from 0 to 60 mph.
The 2022 Tiguan’s horsepower has diminished from previous models, with only 184 hp. Compared to the 2017 model that boasted 200 hp and a 0 to 60 time of 8.4 to 8.6 seconds. The difference of 16 hp doesn’t seem like much, but it could contribute to its sluggishness.
High points of the Tiguan
The Tiguan does have many redeeming qualities. The roomy interior is thanks to the increased length. At 185 inches long, the 2022 Tiguan is 11 inches longer than its predecessor, two inches longer than the Chevrolet Equinox, and four inches longer than the Honda CR-V. However, the styling of the interior is the same as in previous models.
Interior controls are intuitive and user-friendly. Updates for 2022 include an infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It features higher quality materials than its competitors, with a padded upper dash and soft-touch materials around the infotainment center. The driver’s seat offers 10-way power adjustments and steering wheel controls that are a snap to operate.
One gripe Consumer Reports had about the interior controls was the lack of a dedicated dimmer switch for the instrument panel. It is buried within the settings menu on the touch screen, making it difficult to access on the fly.
The 2022 Tiguan is one of the more affordable compact SUVs on the market. The cheapest front-wheel-drive Tiguan goes from $26,440 to $27,190. However, the top-end SEL R-Line trim is a better value for 2022 as its $37,790 price is $2500 less than the 2021 model. At that price point, it more closely resembles the most expensive versions of the RAV4, Honda CR-V, and the Mazda CX-5.
Keyword: The Only 2 Things Consumer Reports Hates About the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan